Spiritual Empowerment

Act 18:24-28 (NLT) "Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John's baptism. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately. Apollos had been thinking about going to Achaia, and the brothers and sisters in Ephesus encouraged him to go. They wrote to the believers in Achaia, asking them to welcome him. When he arrived there, he proved to be of great benefit to those who, by God's grace, had believed. He refuted the Jews with powerful arguments in public debate. Using the Scriptures, he explained to them that Jesus was the Messiah."

Acts 18 was my Bible study for this morning, and the last part of the chapter really spoke to me:

"Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt."

I wish I had time to research all the history behind this man Apollos, but I don't. At least I know, based on my rudimentary knowledge of the ancient world, that Alexandria was known for being a place of higher education. Therefore, Apollos must have been something of a scholar. His scholarship is also solidified by the fact that he "knew the Scriptures well." I find his education interesting as the passage goes on.

"He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy."

This is awesome. While he had probably the best human education one could have had at that time, he obviously also had the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, how could he have known that Christ was the Messiah so much so that he could speak of it with enthusiasm and accuracy? That information would be unattainable through simply human means--no matter how educated one could be. The impossibility of such is heightened in the next sentence:

"However, he knew only about John's baptism. "

Amazing. I look at this today with my human eyes and wonder how in the world this could be possible. How could someone with knowledge of only John's baptism, put two and two together THAT much to come to the Messianic conclusion about Jesus--furthermore, to be able to speak with dead level accuracy? Think about that. It speaks volumes of the power of the Holy Spirit. That is the power that God wants to grant to all of us, but we rarely let Him. Why do we spend so much time trying to advance our careers and keep up with the Joneses instead of being powerfully used by the Holy Spirit to further His kingdom? We have been given so much, and yet we use so little.

"When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately."

At first when I read "they took him aside," it kind of made my heart sink. It kind of sounded like what I'm used to hearing in many churches, unfortunately. Almost every time there is a new addition to a fellowship who has a slightly different approach to sharing the gospel, his or her charisma is almost immediately preyed upon by the higher levels of the church's food chain. These modern-day pharisees "take this person aside" with the pretext of "making sure his doctrine is sound," but really end up just discouraging that person from talking about things they "don't fully understand, because they haven't been part of this fellowship long enough." The result is one of two outcomes: (1) the newer member ends up shutting up and assimilating into the background, or (2) the newer member continues to preach and is then dismissed and/or warned against for being a radical.

Honestly, though, I don't think that's what's going on here in this passage at all, and the proof is in the next few verses, which I will get to in a moment. Obviously, Apollos had a gift for speaking and being used by the Holy Spirit. Aquila and Priscilla recognized Apollos' ministry as a gift and knew they could help fill in the gaps of his message. In other words, for an even more successful ministry, Apollos needed to know more information about Christ than just John's baptism. He needed to know not only the head knowledge that Christ fulfilled every Messianic prophecy, but also he needed connections and details of those prophecies. Being and Old Testament scholar, he needed to know exactly how those prophecies were fulfilled, or else his debates with the Jews in the ensuing verses would have been void. He needed to know who Christ healed and what Christ did on earth. He needed to know how Christ died and why He rose again. Here was not a case of church elitists quenching and discouraging. Instead, here was empowerment. Again, testament to the Holy Spirit.

One more thing about this verse is that Apollos listened to their instruction. He wasn't so proud in his own Scripture knowledge that he ignored their counsel. Instead, he soaked it all in as a sponge. He could have easily dismissed them. I mean who were they? They were tent makers! Were they Bible scholars? All we know is that they followed God. They probably had no formal Scriptural education whereas Apollos probably did have. Apparently, his accepting of their spiritual wisdom was not a human inclination. Something more was at work.

"Apollos had been thinking about going to Achaia, and the brothers and sisters in Ephesus encouraged him to go."

Ah. So here we see that under no circumstances were Aquila and Priscilla condescending Apollos' gifts or embarrassed by the limits of his knowledge. In fact, this very verse shows that no one in the Ephesian church doubted his gift at all. In fact, they all had enough spiritual maturity to encourage Apollos to further Christ's gospel outside of Ephesus to a whole other district. Also, they saw fit to let him go--alone. That speaks volumes of their spiritual wisdom. They saw Apollos through the eyes of the Holy Spirit, which told them that he was mature enough to be a missionary by himself, not through the human eyes of doubt, that would suggest he stay in Ephesus to study a bit longer under "superior" teachers or even that he go to Achaia under the watchful eye of a more well-seasoned elder.

"They wrote to the believers in Achaia, asking them to welcome him."

In order for the Achaian believers to accept a teacher of which they'd never before heard, the Ephesian believers sent word about Apollos to Achaia. Important to note is not that this gave the Achaians the Ephesian "stamp of approval" (the way modern-day churches feel the need to get "letters of recommendation" from the former pastor of a potential member), but rather that these were dangerous times of persecution. Therefore, a letter sent ahead was necessary for the Achaians to accept Apollos as a helpful friend, rather than dangerous foe. I am not saying that pastoral "letters of recommendation" are evil, but honestly, ask yourself this question: "What is the reason that this new pastor needs my former pastor's approval?" If the answer has to do with comparable early church persecution, then by all means, get the approval. However, if the answer has to do with human curiosity or control, then . . . sorry, but it's evil. God already gave us His stamp of approval when He chose us. If one cannot sense the Holy Spirit in another person, no amount of letters will fix that fact, anyway. One would do better to spend time in the Word and in prayer for guidance.

"When he arrived there, he proved to be of great benefit to those who, by God's grace, had believed. He refuted the Jews with powerful arguments in public debate. Using the Scriptures, he explained to them that Jesus was the Messiah."

Notice that Apollos proved to be a great benefit for believers. He may or may not have been a benefit to the Jews who disagreed with him. Personally, I find this an interesting point. How often do I myself get into debates with people trying to change their mind on something? It is important to note that (1) people only believe by God's grace, and (2) theological debates are generally most helpful for those who already believe, not the opponents. Not that people cannot be persuaded, but that it is the Holy Spirit alone that does the persuading. However, there is definitely a necessary place for theological debate: This form of pro-active apologetics helps to solidify believers' faith. It would behoove us all to listen to intellectual theological debate from time to time so that we can be current on the issues of our day and how these issues align with our faith. There is no place in Christianity for the comfortable. God created your brain, so exercise it.

Remember too that Apollos was very schooled in the Scriptures--not just shooting his mouth off--so this passage is not encouraging Christians to be radical old codgers who leap to fight at every argument. Very often, in fact, most fight-seeking Christians tend not to have a very adequate knowledge of the Scriptures as a whole, but rather pick and choose a few key passages as their only references in these debates. This sort of debate is not just annoying to the offense, but also embarrassing to the defense. Apollos was neither because his arguments were up-to-date and well-schooled.

My last point on this passage is that Apollos saw the need to explain to the Jews that Christ was their Messiah. He was not trying to alienate, the way Christianity alienates Judaism today, but rather he was trying to align. We need to have this burden for the Jews as well. Their Messiah has come, and they need to see that Christ is not only in the New Testament but in the Old Testament as well. School yourself as Apollos did and allow the Holy Spirit to use you.

If someone shows signs of wanting to know more about Christianity and how it differs from other religions; if someone is searching for answers to ultimate questions and desires the things of God; if a younger or less-trained individual desires to further the work of Christ and shows signs of potential, it is up to the church's "superiors" to recognize the work of the Holy Spirit and have faith in His guidance as they seek to empower the individual, not to recognize their own human misgivings and doubts. The purpose of a spiritual leader is to empower, not oppress.

First, A Testimony

Sanctification--the process of a Christian growing closer and inevitably becoming more like Christ--is something I feel I've, sadly, only recently understood or cared about. Oh, I've been a Christian all my life, but only up till the past few years, I feel I've been in this stunted "milk of the Word" phase. I had all this Bible knowledge, b/c I'd grown up memorizing verses, but I really only knew how to apply them to the surface. This was my own fault.


Honestly, I believe I was a Christian ever since I was five years old in the back seat of the family car. I always knew I was a sinner, and especially since Dad was a pastor and Mom was a Sunday School teacher...I remember thinking when I was in that car seat, "Man, I really need to accept Jesus, or else I'm gonna be in trouble."

I probably was a Christian from that point. As far as the Scripture says, all I needed to do was repent, believe, and trust. I prayed to God all the time. I read my Bible the way they tell you to do. But, I will tell you, I never found any enjoyment in it. Oh sure, I found amazing things in Scripture that benefited me spiritually and physically...but...I never had that feeling like I was communing with the God of the universe "mano e mano" the way missionaries and pastors talk about. I figured they were just making it up to sound pious and authoritative.

I also had a HUGE fear. I knew in my heart that the Bible was God's Word, but...I was PETRIFIED at the thought of telling others about it. I was constantly reminded that the world hates God and as a result will hate me. If they like me, there is something wrong. I was extremely scared...b/c...what is a teenager, let alone a *gasp* GIRL going to say to convince anyone? I mean, I knew that the Spirit would help me...Whoever that was...but...maybe I should just hand the non-Christian person a tract and call it a day? I'm sure the guy in the tract could say what I wanted to say ever so much more eloquently than I could, anyway. Even then, something rubbed me the wrong way about that. Who am I to hand a paper to someone and tell them to read it? The only people who hand out papers are people who are selling something...and cults.

As you can see, I was kind of a mess.

I remember thinking, "shouldn't we be helping the poor and needy or something?" I mean...that's what they did in the Bible, but conservative church authorities always shun that kind of thing b/c of "social gospel". Still, the alternative--passing out a piece of paper...how is that better? No one in the Bible handed out papers. They were bold and actually talked to people. That is not to say that the people I went out "tract passing" with didn't talk. Some of them did. I didn't.

And we come back to the fact that I was petrified of defending my faith, so...I guess hiding behind a paper was the best alternative if I was to be any use to the gospel.

better than nothing.

So after high school, I went off to Christian college in Florida. I got a lot more Bible there. We were required to have a minor in Bible. They taught us to think critically about the Bible we'd grown up believing. There was a spirit of discipleship and caring. While college was really the beginning of my awakening--even after all the doctrines classes and surveys--I still wasn't sure what to say to someone who didn't believe what I believed. We even went street preaching and I remember I would just kind of stand there while the boys talked. I always felt I should say something, but there was still that idea of women being quiet and not usurping authority.

Once again. I was a mess.

The easiest thing to do to feel like I was contributing to "the Kingdom" was to sit around in numerous Bible studies and just pontificate with other Christians about all the stuff we all already agreed with. But...'Maybe God will see that at least I WANT to talk about Him, right? I'm trying desperately to be sincere and that should count for something, right?'

After my freshman year, my parents got divorced. I think probably if there was a period in my life where I might have discarded my faith, it would have been then. Everything I thought was true about my family wasn't true anymore. My parents broke their promises, so...does God break His? Of course He doesn't. My parents are human. God is perfect. I even tried to force myself to be mad at Him--the way they do in the movies--I just couldn't. It wasn't God who made my parents divorce. It was God who helped me through it--even though I barely read my Bible or prayed during that time. I felt like: What was I going to say that He didn't know? He knew everything I was thinking anyway, right?

My first job out of college was in a Christian theatre, so...fortunately...I could just sing about Him and act out characters from the Bible and then afterwards have old ladies tell me how I'd blessed them, and I wouldn't have to actually confront anyone about their souls. Whew. However, that job didn't last, b/c acting jobs only last a few months.

I got another job in a family resort theatre and found out that there were more Christians in my cast than non-Christians...so it was really just a Christian environment all over again. I tried explaining the Bible and things to my non-Christian friends...but I failed miserably, I have to say. I prayed every night that I would get the right words to say and then it hit me like a ton of bricks. I hadn't really read my Bible since college. I'd done tons of praying, sure...but I hadn't really seen what He had to say about anything in awhile...how could I have the right words to say if I didn't let Him put the words in my head? How can I expect tomatoes if I never water the plant?

So after that job I determined to get better at Bible reading. I may have failed at that theatre, but I would make up for it...and then I got a temp job at a bank headquarters...

I hated temping...do you really think I opened my Bible? Plus, where am I even going to start? There are 66 books in the thing!!! I could start in the Gospels...but...I know those already. Jesus, right? I could start in Romans--Logistics. Know it already. Hebrews--Ughhh...too deep to start with. Galatians--God's grace. Yeah, it's amazing. Whatever...excuse after excuse after excuse...

I'm not sure if any of you have ever temped...but it's like the worst job ever. Here you are with a degree--all your teachers and professors had all these high hopes for you; you made the dean's list; you were a class officer; you were in plays and ensembles--the spotlight...and then you get out in the real world....where you actually have to work for a living and no one cares about that! They treat you like you have the IQ of pencil lead and pay you like you don't have a school bill to pay. Okay, I'm exaggerating, kind of...but it's a terrible pedestal to fall from.

Anyway--strangely enough--the year I temped proved to be a turning point in my life. I was feeling really crappy and worthless all the time. I wanted to be used of God, but I didn't feel like He wanted to use me. I cried and prayed a lot before falling asleep.

For some reason C.S. Lewis came up--I think b/c I'd just visited Oxford, England with some friends--and I remembered that I had an old copy of a Christian philosophy book he'd written called "Mere Christianity" that an ex-boyfriend had given me b/c he owned two copies of it. I picked that book up and it changed my life. Now...let me be clear here...when I say changed my life, I mean--in an exaggerated way--that it changed my entire outlook on Christianity and God and the Bible. I'm not saying it's the 67th book of the Bible or anything...but it was earth shattering to me that my faith could be defended so boldly in a time other than the Apostle Paul's. In a post-modern era. All this time, I'd thought that my faith was just my faith and it was true...b/c...well...it was true. I hated that I thought that way. Why couldn't it be easier to tell people? If it's really true, then...why is it so hard to defend?


What I learned was...it WASN'T hard to defend. Partly, b/c it's not "a faith". It's faith in a God with whom I have a relationship. Part of what I'd always disagreed with "witnessing" was, people always wanting to defend the Bible with the Bible. B/c, listen, I even tried doing that a few times, and every time they'd say, "Of COURSE you are going to use a Bible verse, b/c you believe the Bible!" And then I'd feel like an idiot and wish I'd never said anything. But when I realized that God can be defended from literally every angle, and the Bible simply explains it all, b/c God loves us and desperately wants us to love Him, then things started to make sense.

I downloaded the complete dramatized version of the NIV and burned it onto Cd's and listened to them in the car to and from work until I'd listened to the entire Bible. (Hint: it only took 8 months. That's less than a Bible-in-a-year plan!) It was amazing. It was alive. I knew it was great from verse to verse,, chapter to chapter, but I'd never experienced it cover to cover! It was the same book, but I was growing.

The Bible was like a whole new book to me. Tired old Bible verses started jumping off the pages in ways my cobwebbed brain had never thought possible. I started getting excited to tell others about God. I really felt the presence of God in the way those missionaries and pastors said. I could see Him work. I found that I didn't care as much about what people thought about me or when "bad things" happened to me. I could see God working in those things now. I wanted to share that experience with others, b/c...God wanted them to share it. People I thought would hate me, were listening.

God wants everyone to come to Him, b/c this is our purpose in life. If you don't believe me, call out to Him and see what happens. This is coming from a girl who has been a spiritual scaredy cat all her life: Do it. I dare you.